EMRIP, EFLCP likely to be completed in two years: Vasan

CHENNAI: The Ennore-Manali Road Improvement Project (EMRIP) and the Elevated Four Lane Corridor Project (EFLCP) from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal (Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway) was likely to be completed in another two-years, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan said here today.

The, Rs 600 crore EMRIP and the Rs 1,655 crore EFLCP from Chennai Port were aimed at improving the connectivity of Chennai and Ennore Ports for the fast transportation of import and export of cargo.

The Shipping Ministry conducted a joint review meeting with officials of State Shipping Ministry, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Chennai Port Trust and Ennore Port Trust here.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Vasan said, the "Ministry of Shipping is taking all steps to accord the necessary approvals to Chennai and Ennore Ports to expedite implementation of the two projects".

"In the joint review meeting all the issues relating to the two projects were discussed comprehensively", he said.

Stating that there has been some delay in implementing these projects due to issues involved in land acquisition, relief and rehabilitation of the project affected families and escalation of cost, Vasan said EMRIP cost has been revised from Rs 150 crore to Rs 600 crores due to conversion of planned two-way lane to four-way lane road and escalation of costs during.

He said due to revision of costs, the cost of equity contribution by Chennai Port Trust in the project has been increased to Rs 139.80 crore from the earleir Rs 38 crore and for Ennore Port it has been enhanced to Rs 34.02 crore from the Rs 17.50 crore.